Sisters of Mercy protect Nebraska land from development

WATERLOO, Neb. (AP) _ A Nebraska religious order has granted a conservation easement to protect a pond and surrounding land from development that could harm the wildlife habitat.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that the Sisters of Mercy signed the conservation agreement to the Nebraska Land Trust last week. The pond near the Platte River west of Omaha and the 22 acres of land were used as the site of a spiritual retreat center, which closed last year.

The Catholic nuns’ easement will preserve the property’s solitude, scenic beauty and wildlife habitat. The sisters still own the land, but the easement prohibits any development on the Platte River shoreline.

The Land Trust says the property’s natural riverfront is increasingly rare along the Platte River as the Lincoln and Omaha metropolitan areas grow toward each other.